Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen said he has lost respect for Finidi George, lashing out at the coach over some comments on his attitude towards the national team.
Finidi, who was reported to have resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles on Saturday, was quoted to have said he can't beg tge Napoli striker to play national team after the player withdrew from their last two 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
The striker was said to have been ruled out by a four-week injury and was replaced by Enugu Rangers defender, Kenneth Igboke.
However, with the woeful performances of the Super Eagles against South Africa and Benin Republic, the narrative of Osimhen’s absence changed.
An online medium reported that when he and the Nigeria Football Federation chiefs met with the Sports Minister, John Enoh, in Abuja on Wednesday, Finidi used Osimhen’s absence to bring to light, the bad attitude of the players towards the national team
Osimhen's anger over the comments prompted him to open up on the circumstances that led to his withdrawal from the Super Eagles last two World Cup qualifiers, in a live Instagram video on Saturday, adding that Finidi was adequately briefed by him and his doctor.
Osimhen said in the video, “I knew things like these would happen and that’s why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany,” Osimhen said.
“I got injured in our (Napoli’s) last game against Lecce and I went to the MRI scan. And I called Finidi there for him to listen to the doctor too.
“I called him (Finidi) and asked him to allow me to come to the camp to be with the boys and I spoke to some of my teammates too but he said I have to be with my family.
“I’m not addressing anything, everybody knows I play my heart out whenever I’m playing for the club or national team. I’ll share the screenshot and videos of my conversation with Finidi for the sake of those believing what Finidi said.
“I’ve lost respect for that man because before I disrespect anybody, I always respect them,” the player added
In Finidi’s first game in charge of the Super Eagles, Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last Friday and a 2-1 defeat against Benin Republic in Abidjan compounded the Super Eagles fate in Group C of the qualifying series, leaving them with just three points after four games.
The former Enyimba coach was said to have resigned from the national team as well, two days after the NFF said they were going to hire a foreign technical adviser.
Comments
Post a Comment